John Laursen to receive 2020 Governor’s Arts Award
Congratulations to OJMCHE Board Member John Laursen who is one of four artists to receive a 2020 Governor’s Arts Award. John is a writer, designer, editor, and typographer and he first became involved with the museum as part of the design team that worked on the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. He has been actively involved with OJMCHE ever since the Memorial opened in 2004.
For four decades John has owned and operated Press-22, a Portland studio specializing in the design and production of high-quality books and text-based public art projects. Among the institutions for which he has produced books and art catalogs are the Portland Art Museum, the Oregon Historical Society, Whitman College, Reed College, Marylhurst University, Oregon Health & Science University, and the Regional Arts & Culture Council. His work in public art includes the creation of commemorative installations for the Oregon Cultural Heritage Commission and serving on the design team for the Oregon Holocaust Memorial. The Special Collections archive at the University of Oregon’s Knight Library maintains a collection of works on paper from Press-22, which is updated periodically.
“I am delighted that John’s exceptional contributions to the arts have been recognized with this prestigious award. Within the multitude of his talent, skill, innovation, kindness, and decency, we see an Oregonian who epitomizes all that is great about Oregon. How fortunate we are that you serve as a member of OJMCHE board,” said OJMCHE Director Judy Margles.
2020 Governor’s Arts awardees are Darrell Grant, a jazz musician and educator from Portland; Roberta J. Kirk, a traditional artist, and educator from Warm Springs; John Laursen, a writer, designer, editor and typographer from Portland; Toni Pimble, the founding artistic director of the Eugene Ballet; and Portland Gay Men’s Chorus in Portland.
Oregon’s highest honor for exemplary service to the arts, the 2020 Governor’s Arts Awards will be celebrated during a virtual ceremony at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12, on the Oregon Arts Commission Facebook page. The ceremony is free and open to the public.
OJMCHE hires Andrew Duden for Education Team
Oregon Jewish Museum and Center for Holocaust Education is pleased to have expanded their Education Team with the hiring of staff member Andrew Duden, who fills a critical and new role at the museum.
As the Education Specialist for Digital Learning, Andrew works closely with Education Manager Amanda Solomon to develop the content and implementation strategy for launch and growth of the Museum’s new remote learning initiative, bringing the museum and its lessons to students and the community all over Oregon – and beyond!
Andrew comes to the museum with an extensive teaching career, most recently as a history teacher at Lake Oswego High School. Andrew is a published writer, a musician and a recording artist and he has spent two years teaching history in El Salvador. We welcome Andrew to OJMCHE and stay tuned for more robust Educational online programming this fall.
Gabi Cohen joins Jewish Caucus of HSDA
Gabriella (Gabi) Cohen has been elected to serve as vice-chair of the Jewish Caucus for the High School Democrats of America (HSDA) during the 2020-21 school year. The HSDA is a national political organization that serves as an entry point to Democratic politics for youth activists from across the country and is recognized by the Democratic National Committee.
In August 2019, it introduced the caucus system. The HSDA stated that it was vital that all groups feel heard and represented. It started providing a Black Caucus, an LGBT+ Caucus, a Jewish Caucus, a Muslim Caucus, an Intersectional Caucus, Women’s Caucus, Latino Caucus, Asian/Pacific Islander Caucus, and a Rural Caucus at that time.
Gabi responsibilities as vice-chair include working to educate the others on anti-Semitism, Jewish holidays, traditions and practices, and democratic policies. She is an incoming sophomore at Sunset High School in Portland.
Debbi Bodie Joins OM Stone
Debbi Bodie has returned to Portland and joined OM Stone in Hillsboro, OR, as customer service manager. OM Stone specializes in custom stone creations for funeral homes, cemeteries, churches, homes, parks, universities and other stone applications throughout the world.
Prior to her return, Debbi held the position of executive director of Congregation Har Shalom in Fort Collins, CO. She was also the executive director of Congregation Shir Tikvah in Portland, where she served as central administrator of the congregation, overseeing administrative and financial efforts, managing the synagogue’s strategic plans, and implementing policy decisions of the steering committee.
From 1999 until 2014 Debbie held the position of chief development officer at Cedar Sinai Park.
She co-founded Hesed Shel Emet, an innovative program that provides a Jewish burial for community members who lack the resources to be buried with the dignity of their tradition. From March 2008 through Jan. 2017, Debbi coordinated fifty-two burials across Oregon and Southwest Washington, working closely with families, clergy, cemeteries and funeral homes.
